The name ruby comes from the Latin word ruber, which means red. The red of the ruby is incomparable: warm and fiery. Only very few ruby crystals were given the good conditions in which they could grow undisturbed to considerable sizes and crystallize to form perfect gemstones. Millions of years ago, when the gemstones were being created deep inside the core of the Earth, chrome was the element which gave the ruby its wonderful color. But at the same time it was also responsible for causing a multitude of fissures and cracks inside the crystals. Today, the Mong Hsu gemstone mines are still among the most important ruby suppliers. Ruby deposits also exist in neighbouring Vietnam, near the Chinese border. Other ruby deposits are located in Northern Pakistan in the Hunza Valley, Kashmir, Tadzhikistan, Laos, Nepal, and Afghanistan. Rubies are also produced in India, where deposits with relatively large crystals were discovered in the federal states of Mysore and Orissa, in Thailand, and in Mogok in the North of Myanmar. Here, the country’s famous ruby deposits lie in a mountain valley surrounded by high peaks. Painstakingly, gemstones of an irresistible luminosity are brought to light in the ‘valley of the rubies’. Unfortunately, really fine qualities are quite rare even here. A few US states, Montana and the Carolinas, have also discovered rubies. More recently, people have begun to talk about East Africa as a source of rubies.

For thousands of years, the ruby has been considered one of the most valuable gemstones on Earth. It has everything a precious stone should have: magnificent color, excellent hardness and outstanding brilliance. In addition to that, it is an extremely rare gemstone, especially in its finer qualities. Some ancient cultures believed that rubies, as well as other gemstones, grew on trees, just like fruit. The rubies would begin budding as small white gems, and would slowly grow and ripen, turning red in the light of the sun. When the ruby was saturated with red color, it was ready to be plucked. “A drop of the heart’s blood of Mother Earth” is how the ruby is described in the Orient. Ruby is deemed to be the most precious of gemstones by the Bible and the ancient Sanskrit writings. This stone was given as offerings to Buddha in China and Krishna in India. The Indians call the ruby Ratnanayaka, the lord of the gemstones. In ancient India, whenever a particularly beautiful ruby crystal was found, the ruler sent high dignitaries out to meet the precious gemstone and welcome it in appropriate style. The Hindus called the ruby the king of precious stones and the leader of gems. They used to divide rubies into castes, much like social classes. Rubies were sorted into upper class, middle class, and lower class in terms of flawlessness and beauty. In China, a Mandarin’s rank was indicated by the color of the stone in his ruby ring. A red jewel stone meant he was a key figure among the great. Also in China, and Europe as well, in the 10th century, dragons and snakes were carved in their surfaces to increase the flow of money and power to their owners. In the 1880’s, French jewelers called the ruby the gem of gems or the dearly loved stone. Early Burmese people believed that it would make an individual invulnerable if inserted into their flesh. Another belief was that a ruby can forewarn an owner of impending doom. The first wife of King Henry VIII is said to have foretold her impending demise from the darkening of her ruby.

Ruby intensifies the life force energy that we all possess, stimulating the will to live and enhancing our innate survival instinct. Ruby is said to alleviate chronic fatigue and calm hyperactivity. It also may help overcome diseases caused by environmental toxins. They are said to benefit the heart and circulatory system, and to help detoxify the blood and body. Ruby works with the flow of blood as an aid to circulation aiding the cleansing and removal of infection or germs in the blood, treating fever, diseases, and easing restricted blood flow. They are good for the heart and circulatory system and stimulate the adrenals, kidneys, reproductive organs and spleen. The Ruby may be worn in jewelry, but never close to the solar plexus, as the Ruby has a disquieting effect upon it. In a ring wear it on your left hand.

The ruby is considered to be the most powerful gem in the universe, and is associated with many astral signs. To own a ruby is said to have contentment and peace. Ruby is a stone of passion. Care must be taken when using this crystal, because it can bring negativity and anger to the surface. Ruby should be used with knowledge of how to gain from the experiences it brings. Allow the anger or negativity to come to the surface, then let it dispel, never to trouble you again. Be purified by the experience, not overwhelmed. Ruby can also amplify positive energies. It is said to boost the positive aspects that you already possess. Use these reserves of positive energies to help you overcome the negative energies that ruby might allow to surface. It is said to stimulate visualization and motivation. This effect can allow you to be more realistic in your expectations, and more honest in your intentions. The Ruby is filled with love. It also helps sexual love to be more passionate, and can help to cleanse and stimulate the heart to help in matters of love. (This effect includes love of self). Ruby is used to attract love and romance and to seal a marriage. It can help you overcome the fear of rejection, allowing you to pursue love more openly. At the same time, it can help you gain control over amorous desires, tempering them with more realistic expectations. It is also used to increase wealth, protect against negativity, enemies, magical manipulation, storms, sadness and nightmares. A ruby can be placed on the altar during ritual or worn by the spellworker to increase the energies available to the them. It is worn to banish sadness, negative thought patterns, fear and to produce joy, stronger will power, and confidence.

Placed under the pillow or worn to bed it assures restful sleep undisturbed by nightmares. Ruby will draw wealth to you if you keep one in each room of your home. When you feel you don’t know what path to take or you are stuck in a rut of any kind, (work, love etc.), keep a ruby with you for three days and you will know what you should do. Ruby rings should be worn on the left hand so as to receive the life force and have protection. Given as a gift, the ruby is a symbol of friendship and love. The ruby is also the symbol of vitality and royalty. Like no other gemstone, the ruby is the perfect way to express powerful feelings. Instead of symbolizing a calm, controlled affection, a ring set with a precious ruby bears witness to that passionate, unbridled love that people can feel for each other. The ruby, the king of the gemstones. In the fascinating world of gemstones, the ruby is the undisputed ruler.

Disclaimer: No one involved in this blog or its contents may be held responsible for any adverse reactions arising from following any of the instructions/recipes on this list. It is the reader’s personal responsibility to exercise all precautions and use his or her own discretion if following any instructions or advice from this blog.